All Blacks feature in major photo exhibition
06 May 2010
A major photographic exhibition featuring more than 100 images of the All Blacks opens in New Zealand next week (14.05.2010) ahead of a nationwide tour.
'Hard on the Heels' - an exhibition of works by acclaimed Kiwi photojournalist Peter Bush, features images from more than 60 years on the All Blacks trail. The images portray everything from controversial to humorous behind-the-scenes moments.
Peter Bush’s subjects are some of the world’s All Black greats, including Sir Brian Lochore, Bob Scott, Ian Kirkpatrick, Colin Meads, Graham Mourie and Jonah Lomu, as well as other famous international players.
A set of mural-size works and a DVD of Peter Bush recounting the stories behind the most iconic images complete the exhibition, which will be launched at Aratoi: The Wairarapa Museum of Art & History in Masterton, on 14 May.
'Hard on the Heels' will show at 13 venues throughout New Zealand, finishing the tour with a roar at four concurrent exhibitions in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin during the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
Rugby royalty at Aratoi
Rugby legend Colin ‘Pinetree’ Meads - who played 133 games for the All Blacks and was captain four times, will formally open the exhibtion at Aratoi.
Many former All Black captains and players, and representatives of the local rugby community, will attend the opening.
Aratoi director Marcus Boroughs said the exhibition wiuld be a chance to show off some of Peter Bush’s best works: "Peter is a national treasure and his images depict the golden years of our national game. 'Hard on the Heels' is a goldmine of memories and great moments."
Former Masterton mayor Bob Francis, who serves on the IRB (International Rugby Board) and has known Bush for 40 years, said it was appropriate that the exhibition should kick off in Masterton.
"Peter has a great affinity with heartland rugby. He was at the Mangatainoka game a few months ago and was in his element there, in the rain and mud," Francis said.
Background: Peter Bush - a Kiwi legend
Peter Bush - ‘Bushie’ - is one of New Zealand’s best-known photojournalists and has had a long history with the All Blacks.
Bush’s career kicked off when he started as a cadet photographer for The New Zealand Herald daily newspaper in 1949, at a game between the All Blacks and the Wallabies.
In the early days, Bush often donned football boots so he could keep up with the players from the sidelines to get crucial action shots.
At a time when satellite television was still a twinkle in the eye, Bush’s rugby images were often the first seen by ex-pat Kiwis.
Although Bush is still on the job, he admits to being wary of modern technology.
"I am a bit of a Luddite and find the digital era overwhelming … the way things had changed dawned on me one day at the Stade de France when a young guy was taking photos with one hand and wiring them back to his office in the other. That was mind-boggling to me."
However Bush says he has learned to live with digital photography with the aid of younger photographers: "A lot of the young guys now are bloody good. They have an aptitude for it."
Peter Bush has published three books including a biography - Peter Bush: A Life in Focus, written by sports journalist Paul Thomas.
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